Tonight's turret meeting will be pretty awkward

✨What a year 2025 has been! ✨ Here’s a little recap. Wishing you all a very Happy New Year – see you in 2026! 🎉

Incredibly proud to represent a party that's putting forward genuine ideas and policies about how to move our country forward. Instead of scrapping with the official opposition, the government should listen to the constructive ideas and opposition from the Liberal Democrats.

Hi, Chelmsford ✨ Here are a few things that I’ve been up in the past week.

Big shoutout to the amazing volunteers at Love Your Chelmsford! Last week, despite the cold, they were out litter picking on Kings Road. It’s thanks to amazing volunteers like this that Chelmsford remains such a special place to live. #LoveYourChelmsford

Shocking scenes coming out of Australia of a shooting at Bondi Beach. While we wait for answers, my thoughts go out to all those affected, especially the Jewish community who were celebrating the start of Hanukkah on the beach at the time. www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/ck...

Fabulous! Amazing work by my brilliant colleague, Al Pinkerton MP. The Prime Minister must now listen to the will of Parliament.

🚨BREAKING🚨 MPs have voted to PASS our bill to establish a UK-EU customs union. The Prime Minister must now listen to his own MPs, drop his self-imposed red lines and finally go for proper growth through an ambitious trade deal with the EU.

Today is Small Business Saturday! Let’s buy local and support the backbone of our economy and community. I’ll continue to listen to and champion our Chelmsford small businesses and press the Government to do the same. #NationsFavouriteBusinesses

What a fantastic Saturday afternoon I had last weekend at Chelmsford Theatre watching the classic panto tale Aladdin. 🎭 It was such a brilliant performance. Well done to everyone involved! If you haven’t got your tickets yet, grab them now – they’re going fast!

Real progress needs inclusion. Yet many people with disabilities still face poverty, job discrimination, weak social protection, and threats to dignity. This International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we commit to building fair, equitable, inclusive communities.

Chelmsford constituents with BN(O) visas are worried about the Govt's plan to raise the English language requirement retroactively and to increase the income requirement. I raised this in a Westminster Hall debate and urged the Government to reconsider. #BNOVisa

Thank you to @mariecgoldman.bsky.social, @cajardinemp.bsky.social, @lizbarkerlords.bsky.social and other @libdems.org.uk MPs and Peers who have been working with the APPG on this. It's vital to keep up work on this, particularly now an end to AIDS is possible.

In 2023, nearly 108,000 people received HIV care in the UK, showing progress. This World AIDS Day, we’re reminded there’s more to do as around 5,000 people remain undiagnosed. Recently, I met with the APPG on HIV, AIDS and Sexual Health to discuss raising awareness and expanding prevention.

As Islamophobia Awareness Month ends, the rise in anti-Muslim hate remains impossible to ignore. Together, we must call it out and build the inclusive Britain we all need and deserve.

Imagine being turned away from a bathroom, hospital, or cinema for “not looking female enough”. The leaked EHRC guidance could do just that. Along with my Lib Dem colleagues, I’ve written to the Minister calling for new, inclusive, practical guidance that protects everyone’s rights.

I had a lovely time visiting Beaulieu Park School and meeting students and staff. We talked about politics and the role of national and local government in our daily lives. The students asked some brilliant questions, and it was great to see how engaged and curious they were.

Had a great time chatting with #ChelmsfordCollege. We talked about devolution and local government, youth engagement and votes at 16. It’s fantastic to see young people using their voices and making change in their communities.

Yesterday's Budget had a few positives – scrapping the two-child benefit cap and freezing rail fares. But overall, it fell short with no help for Chelmsford’s hospitality, and more people dragged into higher tax brackets. My quick thoughts on yesterday's Budget are in the link in the comments.

Another #Budget, another disappointment. People in Chelmsford and beyond face a real cost-of-living crisis, which this Government ignores, leaving people with higher taxes and growing uncertainty.

Women wait longer for diagnoses, face unequal health outcomes, and too often have their symptoms dismissed. I spoke with the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Women’s Health about how we can change this. It’s time to act. The Government must listen to women and prioritise urgent reform.

Violence against women and girls remains widespread, yet funding for vital support services is still uncertain. Today marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the start of a campaign to raise awareness and drive action.

Hospices are under immense pressure, with staff being let go and beds shutting down across the country. I visited Farleigh Hospice to chat about the challenges facing the sector, tour the facilities, and meet some of the lovely team. We’re lucky to have them in #Chelmsford.

It’s UK Parliament Week! 🎉 This is a great opportunity for schools, groups and communities to explore how Parliament works. It’s fantastic to see all ages engaging with democracy in action. #UKPW

Hi Chelmsford 👋🏼 Here are some things I’ve been up to this week.

It was great to visit Moto Pizza in Chelmsford today but sad to see thriving local businesses struggling with rising costs. The owner told me a VAT cut would make a real difference for them. That's why the Lib Dems are pushing for a 5% cut to help businesses keep prices fair and staff supported.

Change happens when someone asks. As Women and Equalities spokesperson and a woman myself, I know how important it is for more women to step into politics. Only 40% of MPs are women, and we need more. I almost didn’t stand until someone asked. Now, I challenge you to ask too. #AskHerToStand

I'm aware of local concerns about mini-buses bringing asylum seekers from RAF Wethersfield to Chelmsford. But Essex Police are unable to access the £2m funding given to Braintree Council to support local policing in Chelmsford. I've urged the Home Secretary to provide more funds to Essex Police.

Today is Transgender Day of Remembrance. We honour trans and non-binary lives lost to violence. We stand in solidarity with trans and non-binary people everywhere. Your lives matter, your voices matter, and your stories matter.

Spot on. 👇

Today I joined my #LibDem colleagues at a rally to call for an emergency VAT cut for hospitality. Going out for a meal, a takeaway, or a family trip shouldn’t be an unaffordable luxury. Lib Dem’s plan will help put money back in people’s pockets while supporting #Chelmsford’s local businesses.

This Men’s Day, we celebrate the men around us whose dedication and contributions make our community stronger. Wishing you all a very happy International Men’s Day ☀️

Proud to be part of The 40% Project by RPS Women in Photography, celebrating women now making up 40% of the UK Parliament. 🎉 It's a reminder to keep supporting women to step into politics, because representation matters. #RPS #rpsWIP40 #deerobinsonphotographer

Sexual violence is widespread and under-reported. I met CARA Essex, who get over 2,000 referrals a year, yet funding is uncertain. My Lib Dem colleagues and I have urged the Home Secretary to secure long-term support and prioritise survivors’ needs.

Hi Chelmsford ☀️ Here are a few highlights from this week.

Chelmsford families are paying too much for energy. The Liberal Democrats’ plan would slash the average household bill by more than £90 a year, putting money back where it belongs – in your pockets. Affordable energy means warmer homes and stronger local businesses. It’s time for action.

Thrilled to officially open the new Beaulieu Health Centre. A modern facility ready to support Chelmsford residents. 🩺 Huge thanks to everyone who helped bring this project to life. It was a long time coming and a big team effort. An important investment in our local healthcare.

I recently met with #CARA (the Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse), who help of thousands survivors of sexual violence across Essex, including #Chelmsford. They need help. I asked the Minister to confirm funding for Rape and Sexual Abuse Support and ISVA services beyond March 2026.

Islamophobia harms communities through hate crimes, bias and discrimination. Join the Lib Dem London network’s webinar this #IslamophobiaAwarenessMonth to explore efforts to combat racism and Islamophobia. 📆 13th Nov, 6.30 pm |📍 Zoom Book free tickets here: bit.ly/4oZfG5H

This week is Inter Faith Week – a celebration of the diversity of faiths and beliefs in our community. It’s a time to connect, learn, and build understanding together. ☀️

On this Armistice Day, we honour all who served, all who sacrificed, and all who continue to strive for peace. #ArmisticeDay #LestWeForget

Racism and misogyny have no place in policing. 🚨 The BBC Panorama exposé of Met Police officers’ racist, sexist & Islamophobic behaviour is a betrayal of public trust. I’ve written to all Chief Constables to ensure this culture isn’t repeated. Every officer must uphold equality & respect.

Lest we forget. Today, we honour the brave who gave everything for our freedom.

It was good to visit #Chelmsford Job Centre last week and meet the team supporting people into work - including young people, those with health conditions, older workers and ex-offenders.

It was a true privilege to plant a tribute in the House of Commons Garden of Remembrance on behalf of the Chelmsford community. As Remembrance Sunday approaches, let’s take a moment to pause and reflect on the sacrifices made by those who gave everything for our freedom.

It’s worrying to see a rise in baby food pouches in pre-school lunchboxes instead of proper meals. Research from Anglia Ruskin University raised serious concerns about nutrition and marketing. I've written to Ella’s Kitchen urging responsible marketing that supports, and not misleads, families.

The British Council faces a financial crisis. Without action on their pandemic-era loan and the recent grant cuts, they could be insolvent within a year – along with the soft power they provide. The Foreign Secretary must meet their CEO urgently.

I’m deeply concerned that the CQC has rated Mid & South Essex NHS Trust as inadequate. Patients and staff have been let down, and urgent action is needed. I’ll be meeting the Trust to push for swift improvements and to understand how things got so bad. Our community deserves a safe, well-led NHS.

I’ve heard from many constituents about Blue Badge parking at #BroomfieldHospital. I’ve contacted the hospital and followed up again to chase an update. Current rules mean some visitors must queue to validate parking. I’ve asked for swift changes to make parking easier.

Stamp duty needs reform but scrapping it risks higher house prices. We need more homes, not a £10bn policy without a plan. 📖 You can read more in my Essex Chronicle article here: bit.ly/437DGLl 🎙️ Link to my #BBCEssex interview is in the comments.